GMO Genetically Modified Organisms

Against GMOs The War One side 1: Independent scientists 2: Environmentalists 3: Small farmers

For GMOs 1: Monsanto 2: Bayer Syngenta US and UK governments

What is ignored Abnormal proliferation of cells : precursor of cancer. Horizontal gene transfer into gut bacteria or human DNA. Mortality data on animals who fed from GM crops is suppressed.

Motive ? GM seed companies seek to the money from trying to control the world’s food supply Led by the United States International network of ministers, officials, and some scientists

Initial Enthusiasm to Scientists Feeding the world Cleaning the environment Swapping genes between species Creating designer organisms to reduce manufacturing waste Producing lifesaving drugs to insect-resistant plants

FDA 1992 “The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.” This was the basis of claiming no food studies were necessary. The food producer was responsible for assuring safety.

What was kept secret Scientists agreed there were risks GM foods might create unpredictable side effects Wanted long term safety studies to guard against allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. Only a lawsuit made the deception public

UK finally made long term studies in mid 1990s 1998 they discovered potatoes produced a harmless insecticide caused great damage to rats UK study was cancelled Lead scientist was fired Research team dismantled

Hidden bad data Most research covered under “confidential business information” 2003 – research showed side effects after feeding in only 10 – 14 days.

Gene damage Genes can be mutated, deleted, turned on and off, hundred might change their expression. Inserted genes can become shorter, fragmented, mixed with other genes, inverted, and create new unknown proteins our bodies don’t know how to handle.

Animal Studies Show Ingested DNA can get into a fetus Transgenes GM crops fed to animals have been found in the blood, liver, spleen, and kidneys Animals feed from GM food had Stunted growth Impaired immune systems Bleeding stomachs Abnormal precancerous cell growth

More damage Misshapen cells in the liver, pancreas, and testicles Altered gene expression Liver and kidney lesions Partially atrophied livers Less developed brains Inflamed lung tissue Higher offspring mortality

Farmers Reported Farmers reported GM corn caused their pigs and cows to become sterile The pigs and cows died Buffaloes, chickens, and horses also died from GM foods

One company example : Monsanto Monsanto reported to the US Public Health Service that their experience was free of difficulties. Lawsuit revealed cover-up. Company memos referred to liver disease, skin problems, and deaths. They stopped their own workers from eating food exposed to their own PCBs.

All about money US Navy refused the product because their study animals all died. But they refused to warn the public because one executive said, company cannot afford to lose one dollar. All about money and control of food supply.

Project Ideas GM potatoes damaged rats Rats fed GM tomatoes got bleeding stomachs, some died Rats fed Bt corn had many health problems Mice fed GM Bt potatoes had intestinal damage Workers exposed to Bt cotton developed allergies

Project Ideas Sheep died after grazing in Bt cotton fields Inhaled Bt corn pollen may have triggered disease in humans Farmers report pigs and cows became sterile from GM corn Twelve cows in Germany died when fed Bt corn Mice fed Roundup Ready soy got liver problems

Project Ideas Most offspring of rats fed Roundup Ready Soy died within three weeks Soy allergies shot up in the UK, soon after GM soy was introduced Twice the number of chickens died when fed Liberty Link corn

Animals Avoid GMOs Farmer run tests Cows and pigs passed up GM corn Other animals which instinctually avoid GM foods are Geese, squirrels, elk, deer, raccoons, mice, and rats

Genetic Roulette By Jeffrey M. Smith